Out-of-School Tales of a Reluctant Educator - Softcover

Page, Marilyn Monks

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0615932177 ISBN 13: 9780615932170

Publisher: Pollywog Pond Press, a division of Warrington Press, 2013

Synopsis

"Out-of-School Tales of a Reluctant Educator"
... is a brilliant, insightful, vivid, heartwarming narrative of a reluctant teacher's attempt to navigate the sometimes treacherous and rollicking  waters of adolescence. 
   Page had never wanted to be a teacher.  She was out of work, there was a teacher shortage, and  Milltown High School needed a teacher.  She had no training, no coursework, knew nothing about adolescents, and, besides teaching world history and American geography, she was charged to teach first and second year Spanish even though she could barely speak a word.  "Out-of-School Tales," starting with Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, spans forty-two years of poignant, unexpected, sometimes scary, and mostly hilarious events; the adolescent escapades might remind you of your own.  At the same time, woven throughout is historical context and a portrait of how a teacher develops her ability to teach.
    From Billy giving her a very strange gift that he had crafted in shop class, to Page joining her neighbors in chasing two fat pigs down a country road in Vermont, there isn't a dull moment.  It's history, it's sociology, it's education, it's all about adolescents.  It might make you laugh and it might make you cry a little.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

Through Page's humorous and insightful story as a 'Reluctant Educator,' we gain a deeper understanding of both the American educational system and our own personal journeys through it.  She combines the political subtext and analysis of Jonathan Kozol with the heartwarming humility of Annie Lamott.  What a wonderful course of study to join her on.
- Carmen D'Arcangelo, Autobiographical Fiction Writer and Coach; Consultant; Author, Grace, in Anthology, We Came to Say.

We learn to teach in fragmented, layered ways.  Rarely does a master teacher unpack her wisdom with such respect for her craft and her readers. This funny, bittersweet, provocative telling of a life fully lived, while immersed in the lives of young people, honors teachers as well as learners.  Page gets 'it,' the 'it' that Paul Goodman wrote is the grace, discrimination, and response to students.  I relived my own teaching as I read and re-read these stories. Funny, irreverent at times, but always compelling; Page provides a new yardstick for measuring educational success.
- Daniel Thompson, Director of CIFE: Curriculum and Instruction Field Experiences, The Pennsylvania State University.

A fun read especially for anyone familiar with schools.  Authentically and courageously written.  Marilyn discloses how she bravely and creatively persisted through surprising ordeals in the education of both students and herself.
- Alice Faulkner Barrow, Former Elementary School Teacher; Computer Programmer Analyst, Retired

'Out-of-School Tales of a Reluctant Educator' is an enjoyable and amusing story about a teacher's journey sharing 40 years of current events with her classroom. Page was able to take us through her growth as an educator, the growth of her students, and even the growth of the country through these events.  Whether she thought she wanted to be or not, Page is an educator.  I loved the huge moments in history where there were no words (President Kennedy, the Challenger Shuttle, 9/11); they were moving.
- Mike Epstein, Stay-at-Home Dad.

'Ms. Page to the office, Ms. Page to the office, NOW!' Though Marilyn Page's accidental career in teaching spans many more years than even the most reluctant of students, her calls to the office as a subject of scrutiny average just a little bit higher than many of her hormone-addled  scholars.  But don't be mistaken!  This is a good thing, as Page was a teacher who questioned bad policy and pushed for change well in synch with cultural shifts rocking the nation. This is the story of a reluctant teacher who became an excellent teacher, a teacher who discovered self-empowerment makes not only for more engaged students, but better teachers as well.  A very interesting and enjoyable read.  But why am I left with the feeling I would have been dragged. OUT of Ms. Page's classroom by the ear?
- William Meyer, Product Manager.

.. writing is brilliant, funny, fresh, irreverent.  
 -Jeannie Page, Motivational Speaker and Writer/ Director of Client Services
..

About the Author:

Marilyn Monks Page grew up in Worcester, MA and lived, and raised her children, in the Boston area for many years. She began her career as a high school social-studies and Spanish teacher and taught in every grade 7 through 12, at every academic level, in rural, suburban, and urban school systems in different parts of the United States. She taught at the university level and worked with pre- and in-service teachers, grades K-12, for 20 years. She also directed a research project for the development of K-12 professional certification requirements in the state of Washington. She has been the technology coordinator for educational programs at two universities and developed the first middle-school, teacher-preparation programs in the Vermont State College System. She earned her EdD from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in Instructional Leadership and in Educational Media and Technology. She is the author, and author with Bruce A. Marlowe, of several books. At any given time you can find her in Boston or in San Francisco or in Seattle or in Paris. And she likes it that way. ----------------------------------- Also by Marilyn L Page: You Can't Teach Until Everyone Is Listening; Creating and Sustaining the Constructivist Classroom (2nd Edition) (with Bruce Marlowe); Creating and Sustaining the Constructivist Classroom (1st Edition) (with Bruce Marlowe); Creating the Constructivist Classroom, High School Edition, Video Series (with Bruce Marlowe); Creating the Constructivist Classroom, Middle School Edition, Video Series (with Bruce Marlowe); Creating the Constructivist Classroom, Elementary School Edition, Video Series (with Bruce Marlowe).

About this edition

• Publisher: Pollywog Pond Press, a division of Warrington Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0615932177
• ISBN 13: 9780615932170
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 232
• Illustrator: O'Connor Annie Kane